What LM group does

LM Group (LM Holding GmbH & Co. KG) is a privately held German industrial group headquartered in Meppen, Lower Saxony, specializing in environmental technology for the circular economy. The group operates through four core subsidiaries that cover the complete waste-management value chain: L&M Entsorgungs-Systeme GmbH (compaction systems, transfer stations, and bin-tippers, operational since 1991); Sutco RecyclingTechnik GmbH (sorting and treatment plants, operational since 1985, with 600+ installed plants globally); unoTech GmbH (fully automatic channel baling presses, operational since 2009, marketed under the UPAMAT, UPAFLEX, UPAMAX, UPAK, UPAXX, UPANEXT, and UPASMART brands); and TIG Automation GmbH (process control engineering and water treatment via the TIG Purita division, acquired in January 2022). The group employs more than 680 people across 19–21 locations in Germany and seven international subsidiaries in Poland, the United Kingdom, Romania, Singapore, Sweden, and Brazil.

LM Group generates revenue primarily through capital-equipment sales of custom-engineered waste-management systems sold to municipal and industrial customers, complemented by aftermarket service, maintenance, and spare-parts revenue, plus rental income through its dedicated LM Vermietungs GmbH arm. Go-to-market is enterprise field sales supported by major industry trade shows (notably IFAT), the VDMA industry association (where CEO Michael Ludden chairs the Waste and Recycling Technology Association), and direct subsidiary-led project execution in regional markets. The company also sells the ProDIGIT operating software for plant optimization and the BIOFIX mechanical-biological treatment system, Wendelin composting system, and Biodegma biological treatment brand within its technology portfolio. Notable reference projects include the Site Zero plastic-packaging recycling facility in Sweden (200,000 tonnes/year), the MBA Biofix plant in Kielce, Poland (100,000 Mg/a capacity), and large sorting and baling installations for customers such as MEILO, Linz AG, MVV Plymouth, and Lobbe Iserlohn.

The business is structured as a family-influenced German GmbH & Co. KG limited partnership with no external investors or public listing. Recent strategic activity has centered on inorganic and geographic expansion — the TIG Automation acquisition in 2022 added in-house automation capabilities, the foundation of Sutco Romania in November 2023 extended the group's reach into Southeast Europe, and a brand relaunch in May 2023 formalized the shift from a three-company to a four-company structure. Revenue figures are not publicly disclosed.

Name

LM group

Legal name

LM Holding GmbH & Co. KG

Website

https://lm-group.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

LM Group is a privately held German environmental-technology holding company uniting four subsidiaries (L&M, Sutco, unoTech, TIG Automation) that design, build, and service integrated waste-management systems — compaction, sorting, baling, and automation — for municipal and industrial customers across 19-21 global locations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Waste Management and Recycling Equipment

NAICS

Waste Treatment and Disposal (5622), Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing (333310), Waste Collection (5621)

SIC

Refuse Systems (4953), Misc Industrial & Commercial Machinery & Equipment (3590)

akta.pro primary industry

Industrial Waste Handling & Compaction Equipment (Balers, Compactors) (IMAHALAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

E-waste & Universal Waste Collection/Transfer (Electronics, Lamps, Batteries) (EUAIABAG), Source-Separated Recycling (Paper/Plastics/Metals/Glass) Processing (IMAIAFAE), Plastic Recycling Equipment & Technology Providers (Sorting, Washing, Extrusion) (EUAIAKAM)

Keywords

• Waste management equipment
• Recycling technology systems
• Compaction and baling presses
• Sorting and treatment plants
• Industrial automation solutions

Headquarters

HQ city

Meppen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices15 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Equipment Manufacturing and Sales: Design, construction, and delivery of complete waste management systems including compaction, sorting, baling, and automation equipment. Revenue generated from capital equipment sales with custom project specifications.
2. Equipment Rental: LM Vermietungs GmbH provides flexible rental options for equipment, allowing customers to rent systems instead of purchasing, creating recurring rental income.
3. Service, Maintenance and After-Sales: Technical customer service, repairs, UVV inspections, maintenance, spare parts, and ongoing support services for installed equipment.
4. Custom System Design and Engineering: Complete system solutions from planning and design through production and assembly, offering integrated waste management concepts from a single source.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

LM Group designs, manufactures, and delivers complete waste management and recycling systems through four specialized subsidiaries: L&M Entsorgungs-Systeme provides compaction systems, transfer stations, and bin-tippers; Sutco RecyclingTechnik supplies sorting and treatment plants; unoTech builds fully automatic channel baling presses; and TIG Automation delivers process control and automation engineering. The group offers integrated end-to-end solutions for municipal and industrial waste management customers worldwide.

Product overview

LM GROUP is a holding company comprising four specialized divisions that together cover the complete waste management value chain: Collecting (L&M Entsorgungs-Systeme - stationary and mobile compaction systems, transfer stations, bin-tippers), Sorting (Sutco RecyclingTechnik - sorting and treatment plants with 600+ installations globally), Baling (unoTech - fully automatic channel baling presses under brands UPAMAT, UPAFLEX, UPAMAX, UPAK, UPAXX, UPANEXT), and Automation (TIG Automation - process control and automation technology, plus TIG Purita for water treatment). The company also offers ProDIGIT operating software for plant optimization. Founded in 2012, the group employs over 680 people at 18-21 locations worldwide.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• L&M Entsorgungs-Systeme (Collecting): Compactors, transfer stations, bin-tippers, and components for waste disposal and recycling industry
• Sutco RecyclingTechnik (Sorting)
• unoTech (Baling)
• TIG Automation (Automation)
• TIG Purita
• Biodegma
• ProDIGIT
• UPAMAT
• UPAFLEX
• UPAMAX
• UPANEXT
• Biofix

Products and services

• L&M Entsorgungs-Systeme Compaction Systems Stationary and mobile compaction systems, transfer stations, and bin-tippers (Hub-Kipp-Vorrichtungen) that compress waste materials for efficient logistics and transport optimization, serving municipal and industrial waste disposal operators.
• Sutco Sorting and Treatment Plants Processing and sorting systems for various waste streams including municipal solid waste, packaging waste, industrial waste, and organic waste, with over 600 realized plants worldwide. Targets recycling facilities and waste management operators.
• unoTech Fully Automatic Channel Baling Presses Fully automatic channel baling press systems (UPAMAT, UPAFLEX, UPAMAX, UPAK, UPAXX, UPANEXT, UPASMART brands) for maximum compaction of various waste materials. Designed for recycling operations requiring high-throughput baling solutions.
• TIG Automation Process Control Systems Automation and process control engineering for intelligent control and automation of complex recycling plants, water treatment facilities, biogas installations, and environmental technology plants. Serves operators of environmental technology systems.
• ProDIGIT Operating Software Software developed by Sutco RecyclingTechnik that optimizes sorting and treatment plants for the recycling industry, enhancing plant efficiency, control, and management for recycling facility operators.
• UPANEXT Ballenpresse (Next Generation Baling Press) unoTech's latest generation of fully automatic channel baling presses representing a new era in press construction for recycling applications.
• Sutco Wendelin Composting System (New Generation) Sutco's composting system available in a new model series with optimized machine and process technology for biological waste treatment in recycling and organic waste facilities.
• UPASMART Press Technology unoTech's innovative press technology for improving overall process efficiency in baling operations, described as a world novelty in press construction.
• TIG Purita Water Treatment Solutions Industrial water treatment solutions including pure water, process water, beverage water, and wastewater treatment systems. Serves industrial facilities requiring customized water treatment infrastructure.
• LM Vermietungs Equipment Rental Flexible rental options for waste disposal equipment through LM Vermietungs GmbH, allowing customers to rent compaction and waste management systems rather than purchase, with monthly billing cadence.

Quantifiable outcome

• 600+ plants realized worldwide
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature15 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• VDMA (Verband Deutscher Maschinen- und Anlagenbau)coreOthersLM Group is an active member of VDMA. CEO Michael Ludden serves as Chairman of the VDMA Waste and Recycling Technology Association, providing industry leadership and influence on standards.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Komptech: Austrian manufacturer of shredders, screeners, and separation equipment for waste and biomass processing. Direct peer: similar scope of mechanical waste processing equipment sold to municipal and industrial customers across Europe and globally.
• Eggersmann Anlagenbau: German designer and builder of composting, MBT, and waste treatment plants. Direct peer to Sutco: comparable product portfolio in mechanical-biological treatment and organic waste processing.
• Vecoplan: German manufacturer of shredding, conveying, and processing technology for recycling and waste. Direct peer: comparable industrial machinery portfolio sold to waste and recycling operators in DACH/CEE Europe.
• Bulk Handling Systems (BHS): US-based manufacturer of sorting systems and MRF equipment. Direct peer to Sutco: comparable product portfolio and end customers in municipal solid waste and C&D recycling.
• Bollegraaf: Dutch manufacturer of baling presses and recycling systems, one of the largest in Europe. Direct peer to unoTech: directly competes in channel baling presses and full baler systems for MRFs and recycling plants.
• Machinex: Canadian designer and manufacturer of recycling sorting equipment and turnkey MRFs. Direct peer to Sutco: comparable turnkey sorting plants delivered to municipal and private recyclers in North America and abroad.
• Pellenc ST: French manufacturer of optical sorting equipment and turnkey sorting lines for waste and recyclables. Direct peer to Sutco: competing technology stack for MRF operators, often specified within projects LM Group delivers.
• STADLER Anlagenbau: German sorting plant builder and turnkey recycling facility provider. Direct peer: competes head-to-head with Sutco on MRF and sorting plant tenders, with similar B2B project-based delivery model across Europe.
• Lubo Screening & Recycling Systems: Dutch provider of screening and sorting systems for waste recycling. Direct peer to Sutco: similar focus on fine and medium fraction sorting, with overlapping European customer base.

Broad incumbents

• TOMRA: Norwegian global leader in sensor-based sorting and recycling technology. Broad incumbent: overlaps with Sutco's sorting plant business and increasingly pushes AI/optical sorting into the same recycling facilities LM Group builds.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lm-group-togetherforasustainablefuture

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about LM group